Top: Maryknoll Sister Aurora de la Cruz, left, sat next to Sisters Theresa Chow, Rose Annette Ahuna, Mary Edward Sugioka and Grace Jose Capellas of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities on April 20 during the Diocese of Honolulu’s Jubilarian Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. The sisters are celebrating their 50th, 75th, 75th, 75th and 70th jubilees, respectively. Center: Father Geronimo “Eric” Castro received his congratulatory plaque from Bishop Larry Silva on April 20 during Mass. Father Castro is celebrating his 25th year of ordination. Above: Bishop Larry Silva presented each jubilarian with a plaque commemorating their profession or ordination anniversary. (Photos courtesy Dann Ebina)
By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Praising their ability to “believe the unbelievable,” Bishop Larry Silva on April 20 honored 12 religious women and clergy celebrating anniversaries of profession or ordination during the annual Jubilarian Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.
Before a congregation that included fellow religious, faithful, family and friends, Bishop Silva presided over the Mass with 13 other priests and Bishop Neal J. Buckon, auxiliary for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, concelebrating. Several deacons also participated.
The dozen jubilarians were marking anniversaries of 75, 70, 60, 50 and 25 years. Three were unable to attend. Each jubilarian or representative was presented with a plaque near the end of Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Silva noted the “simple, yet profound” actions present in our lives every day — from merely getting up from and making our beds to experiencing the “intimate and holy communion” that God offers us through the bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Christ.
Though these things are simple, Bishop Silva said, they are still profound.
“Such is the lives of our jubilarians,” he said.
The jubilarians being honored, Bishop Silva said, do “miraculous” work because they believe in the unbelievable in their everyday lives.
“We thank you,” Bishop Silva concluded, “for all that you have done to witness to those simple miracles that happen every day to remind us that sometimes the most important thing you can do is just get up and make your bed.”
